Are contractors/tradespeople becoming easier to find & hire?

[Leo R.]

As anyone who's done a rehab in the last few years can tell you, good contractors and tradespeople (e.g.; plumbers, electricians, etc.) have been very hard to find  (probably because the economy was so hot that anyone who could swing a hammer had more business than they could handle--and demand for GC's/tradespeople completely outpaced supply).

I've heard a few people mention that now that the economy is slowing, GC's and tradespeople have less business, and are therefore becoming easier to find, and that labor costs are coming down...is this true?  ...will the next few months produce a good opportunity to hire GC's/tradespeople?  ...why, or why not?

I'd be especially interested to hear perspectives from GCs/tradespeople, and/or people who frequently hire them....

[Bjorn Ahlblad]

The trades are as busy as ever in our market 2 hours SW of Seattle. I think the effects will vary by market.